Australian Army Recruit Training is the rigorous course of physical and mental training required in order for an individual to become a soldier in the Australian Army

Australian Army

The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...

 or Australian Army Reserve

Australian Army Reserve

The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...

. Currently, all Australian Army Recruit Training takes place at The Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) which is located within Blamey Barracks, about 9.5 km south-west of Wagga Wagga. Previously it took place at bases all over Australia.

The course takes 80 days in the case of Regular Army Recruit Course training and 28 days for the Reserve Recruit Course training.

Aim

The aim of recruit training as given by the ARTC website is "To qualify the maximum number of entrants to the Australian Army to the required standards in core military knowledge and skills, and to develop, in them, soldierly qualities." This is then divided into three parts which are:

1. To enable recruits to achieve the competencies required to commence Initial Employment Training (IET).
2. To inculcate soldierly qualities including: a will to win, dedication to duty, honour, compassion and honesty, mateship and teamwork, loyalty, and physical and moral courage.
3. To motivate recruits towards developing a military career.

Requirements

The requirements to start training are:

• Year 9 Maths and English.
• Aptitude test.
• Meeting with doctor.
• Meeting with psychologist.
• Interview with Defence Recruiter.
• 15 push-ups (8 for females).
• 45 sit-ups.
• 7.5 on a 20 m beep test.

Daily schedule

A typical day generally follows this schedule:

Time	Activity	Description
0600	Reveille	Wake up
0600-0615	Personal Hygiene	Perform personal morning tasks
0615-0630	Barrack Maintenance
0630-0700	Breakfast
0700-0730	Barrack and Uniform Inspection
0730-1200	Training	Begin the day's scheduled training exercises
1200–1230	Lunch
1230-1700	Training
1700–1730	Dinner
1730-2130	Training
2130–2200	Night routine	Lights out

Training overview

Recruit training is the same for male and female entrants (with the exception of Physical Fitness Standards).

All recruits receive instruction in physical training, weapon handling, shooting, first aid, drill and field craft.

Fieldcraft

Throughout the course fieldcraft

Fieldcraft

Fieldcraft is a term used especially in American, Canadian and British military circles to describe the basic military skills required to operate stealthily and the methods used to do so, which can differ during day or night and due to weather or terrain...

is one of the essential skills taught to all recruits. Some of the areas they are instructed in are:

1. How to use all the military equipment issued to them
2. How to set up a section and platoon harbour
3. Fire and movement
4. Camouflage and concealment

Marksmanship training

Recruits receive instruction on all aspects of firearms starting from the basic principles of shooting then elaborates with the finer points of the application of fire. They are shown the impact and fire power of different weapon systems at close hand on a 25m range. All Recruits are required to pass all live fire shoots during the duration of their course.

Physical training

Integrated into the 80 day program are 39 PT sessions. The primary focus of recruit PT is skill acquisition and education.

Navigation training

Recruits are taught how to navigate cross-country during day and night. With such equipment as a map, protractor & compass. Recruits are given theory lessons on the aspects of navigation and then they apply the knowledge that they have received in a practical navigation scenario.

Regular Army Recruit Course training

This 80 day course is grouped into fortnightly programs with the names:

1. Mateship and Teamwork
2. Physical and Moral Courage
3. Dedication to duty
4. Compassion and honesty
5. Will to win & Loyalty and honour

Discharge from Basic Training

A recruit can be only be discharged from the training after they have completed 21 days.